Welcome to the DownUnder Direct Inspiration blog. Here you will find lots of fantastic projects using the wonderful range of products from DownUnder Direct. The DownUnder Direct range includes Bazzill Basics Paper, JustRite Stamps, Spellbinders, Swarovski Crystals and BLING-abilities. You will also find our latest edition - the wonderful pre cut and scored card blanks from Le Crystelle. Card blanks are now available for retail purchase only. To view the complete range visit www.lecrystelle.com.au

Just one final post before we take a break for the holidays. On behalf of everyone on the DownUnder Design Team a Very Merry Christmas. Have a safe and happy holiday season. We will be back in early January with more wonderful projects.

I'm sure that like myself many will have one of these paper mache reindeer lying around. I bought one ages ago with the intention of doing something quick and easy with it. Here is a great idea to do just that.

Welcome to our final Christmas project tutorial for 2012. We hope you enjoy this very cute present card from Carolyn.

Products Used:

Bazzill Basics Paper:

2-124E Red Devil

10-1001E White

5-510E Parakeet

303982 Holiday style 8x8 pack

Spellbinders:

S4-113 Scallop Ovals small

S4-110 Ovals Large

S4-294 Beaded Ovals

JustRite Stamps:

CR-03805 Noel Christmas Ornaments

CR-03780 Christmas tags one

Other Materials Used:

Ribbon

Creative Imaginations epoxy stickers

Step 1:

Cut two pieces of cardstock one to measure 5 1/2" x 11". The other piece measuring 6"x 3".

Step 2:

Score both pieces in half the first piece that is 11" score at 5 1/2 and the other piece that is 6" score at 1 1/2".

Step 3:

With your piece that will now be the present bottom make sure the scored edge is at the bottom. I used a strong double sided tape but you could use glue if preferred. Run glue/tape down the 2 sides remembering the bottom is already scored so no need to do that and you need to leave the top open. Do the same with the smaller piece but this time the scored edge will now be the top and the bottom needs to be left open so it can be used as a lid for the present.

Step 4:

Now cut a piece of patterned paper so that it is slightly smaller than your original measurements halved and attach to the present as in the photo below.

Step 5: Cut a piece of cardstock to measure 5" X 5" any bigger will make it hard to move in and out of the present. Then cut a complimentary colour just a bit smaller and adhere the smaller piece to the larger piece this will be your card that slips in the top of the present.

Step 6:

Decorate this panel as desired. Keeping in mind it is best to keep with flat embellishing as it must move freely in and out of your present.

Step 7:

Your present card should now look like this.

Step 8:

Cut a strip to measure approx 1 1/2 wide and the length of the patterned paper on both parts of your present. I used a xyron sticker maker commonly known as an x box to add adhesive to my ribbon, but you may choose to use glue or tape. Adhere your ribbon to the centre of both pieces of the cardstock you have just cut. Adhere to the centre of both pieces of your present.

Step 9:

Using the same ribbon you used for the centre of your presents tie a bow and glue to the top middle of your present then embellish as desired.

"A card for those who may not celebrate Christmas. I found some Shrink
Plastic in my stash (yet another material that can be used with
Spellbinders!), and made some little pennants I used for a banner on this
card."

Teresa's card is also a great idea for those like myself who haven't got their cards off yet. I may need to send out New Year greetings this year rather than the usual Christmas ones.

"We're getting down to the wire now, so any Christmas crafting I manage to
get done has to be quick and easy.
These hanging ornaments fit the bill nicely. The Grand Calibur cuts felt
like butter, so with a touch of glue and a little run on the sewing machine,
the ornaments were done in no time at all!"

I'm loving the new Believe range from Bazzill. There's nothing like a well coordinated range to have on hand for your "go to" when you need to make some cards in a hurry. Here are a couple of cards I made the other day using the Believe patterned papers and card stock stickers.